A mob of more than 100 unidentified men attacked a group of Muslim youths who had gathered to break their Ramazan fast on Friday evening in the Bopdeo Ghat area near Pune, in the western Indian state of Maharashtra.
According to police, the attackers demanded that the youths remove their skullcaps, verbally abused them, and then assaulted them with sticks and sharp weapons, leaving at least 11 people injured.
The victims, however, said there were only 14 of them and that they were surrounded by nearly 200 people. They alleged that the attackers beat them, threw stones, and forced them to flee. The assailants also allegedly took their mobile phones and cash.
Following the incident, police registered a First Information Report at the Saswad police station based on a complaint filed by Feroz Javed Syed. Authorities said they are reviewing CCTV footage from the area and have launched an investigation.
According to the First Information Report (FIR), the attackers reportedly mocked the victims, saying, “Is this your father’s place? Remove your skullcaps. Why have you come here wearing Muslim clothing?” Some residents believe the attackers may have been linked to Hindutva groups.
According to a report by the Indian newspaper Hindustan Times, the youths had gathered in an open area near a pond, a public space, to break their fast. A large group of men arriving on motorcycles reportedly approached the group and launched the attack.
This attack on Muslim youth during Ramazan in India is not new. Several cases of assaults and lynchings targeting Muslims over their identity have been reported during this Ramazan.
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